Troy Roberts
Stuff I Heard
Toy Robot Music
2020
Troy Roberts goes practically solo on this release, playing multiple overdubbed saxophones and basses with only drummer Jimmy Macbride along for company. Roberts harmonizes his sax lines, creating an accordion-like sound, as they fan out on swaying melodies like “Little Room” and “Prayer Of Hope.” His bass playing has a tough, earthy sound which comes to the fore on tracks with a funkier beat like the surging “Hightail” or “Rejekt” which is a pure James Brown chicken-picking soul groove with Roberts’ horns popping and squealing like a chorus of Maceo Parkers. There are also selections where Roberts plays only one sax, leading giddy trio romps with soprano on “Solar Panels” and tenor on “Harry Brown.”
Tracks: Little Room; Harry Brown; Lifeline; Prayer Of Hope; Rejekt; Hightail; Aeonian; Solar Panels; The Comedian.
Personnel: Troy Roberts: soprano saxophone, alto saxophone, tenor saxophone, acoustic bass, electric bass; Jimmy MacBride: drums.
